James Van Der Beek, ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Star, Dies at 48 After Cancer Battle

James Van Der Beek, the actor who rose to fame as the earnest and introspective Dawson Leery on the hit 1990s teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” has died at the age of 48.

Credit: CNN Newsource

News of his death was confirmed Wednesday in a statement posted to his verified Instagram account and by his representative. The statement said Van Der Beek met his final days “with courage, faith, and grace,” and asked for privacy as his family grieves.

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children.

In November 2024, the actor publicly revealed he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. At the time, he spoke about facing the illness while continuing to prioritize his family.

Born in 1977 in Cheshire, Connecticut, Van Der Beek developed an interest in acting at a young age. As a teenager, he traveled to New York City to pursue auditions and soon landed a role in the off-Broadway production “Finding the Sun.” He later attended Drew University in New Jersey.

His breakout role came in 1998 when he was cast in “Dawson’s Creek,” which ran for six seasons through 2003 and helped launch the careers of co-stars Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams.

Van Der Beek also appeared in several films, including “Varsity Blues,” “Texas Rangers,” and “The Rules of Attraction.”

Following his diagnosis, a GoFundMe campaign was shared through representatives and on social media, citing the financial strain caused by his medical care and ongoing treatment.

Van Der Beek’s legacy includes not only his impact on a generation of television viewers, but also his openness in sharing his health journey and devotion to his family.

This is a developing story.

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